The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that three animals escaped about 5 p.m. during a performance and went out the back of the arena to a lot where circus and Shriners employees’ cars were parked. They eventually were taken back to their compound.

The elephants didn’t take part in Saturday night’s performance, the newspaper said, but were expected to perform on Sunday.

The Post-Dispatch said the show is run by the Royal Hanneford Circus.

Courtesy KSDK

Elephants escape the Shrine Circus at the Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo.